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Home Theaters - Soon to be Common Place in Our Homes

By
Industry Observer with Retired

 With the advent of larger Plasma and LCD HDTV's becoming more reasonably priced, many more homeowners are not just sitting or hanging the new TV in the Family Room but are literally creating newly designed spaces that will serve to showcase the new TV and provide optimal viewing of HDTV and provide entertainment for the whole family and friends.

Most homes that are not new in the last 4 or 5 years had no real design provisions for the new wall mounted wide screen larger TV's that didn't involve hiring an electrician and a finish carpenter to prepare for them. Most homeowners who hadn't given much thought to preparing the new space in advance, realized that there was no power outlet at the right height and the cable was not  nearby to make a clean connection with cords out of view.

Homebuilders and architects for new homes are factoring in this new functionality to make the connections accessible at locations with optimal viewing available.

For those that don't already have these connections, it requires a bit of engineering to get accomplished  in the proper place. That being a real obstacle in some homes, there are numerous other obstacles that are coming to light that are also guiding new design and construction.

The old room where this takes place is often open to the rest of the house and the natural daylight makes viewing on all but the newest large screen TV's ,not optimal. So creating spaces with natural light blocked ( rooms with no windows are beginning to show up as media rooms) is becoming more common.

The furniture selection and placement is also changing from the typical sofa or sectional to individual lounge type seating making adjusting to viewing wall screens that are usually at eye level when standing. Because seating is becoming more individualized, there needs to be accommodations for usually at least 3 or 4 seats in the room. And if the new space becomes part of the entertaining style of a larger family with lots of friends, ever more are needed.

With DVD movies ( either purchasing or rentals ) becoming more popular and much more convenient with online rentals and downlaods, the home theater is fast becoming the natural replacement or at least a desired augmentation to going out to see a movie in a public theater. Typically going out to see a movie costs anywhere from about $8 per person up to $20 per person when refreshments are factored in. If a couple with 2 children go out an average of once per week, the entertainment costs are well over a couple thousand dollars a year. That's not to suggest that more people are rejecting going out to movie theaters as those numbers are actually increasing as well. Seems people want it both ways, but the entertainment costs to go out certainly factors in to justifying the need for better home provided entertainment for many. Others can justify it just because they can and fulfill their desire to be up to date and in style.

As with most change, it is usually gradual. In our fast paced world, that gradual change can be measured in a couple years where before it might have been over a decade. From the more elaborate room designs with projection TV's with large wall screens and elaborate surround sound systems to the more modest wide screen HDTV's and stereo sound, our individual preferences are all available and showing up in homes everywhere. Over the next few years, we will see how architects and home builders interpret these new preferences for our entertainment wants and needs in the new homes we will buy tomorrow.

 

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Comments (24)

William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Good Morning, Sally, you don't have time to watch TV. Between being a REALTOR ( 1st Class), working at the office, giving love to Shadow and hubby, staying connected to the world's most magnificent scenery, enjoying great music, giving sage advise to your family and friends and being a blogger (extrodinaire), just to name a few of your daily activities, you simply have to much of a life to be bothered with the mindless entertainment provided by a boob tube. Wide or otherwise. Emoticon - Wink

Mar 20, 2008 06:09 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Gena, You make a very case both ways. Great insight! Thanks for dropping by . It is wonderful to see you and I will be dropping by your posts later today. You are greatly appreciated.
Mar 20, 2008 06:12 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
That's what you think...we have a nice Sony.....but it goes on in the evening (or on weekends we put it on to watch a movie in the afternoon...go back on pc....turn off pc in the evening again :)  Ah...but if not for a life (you balanced my life when typing everything down ...I love ya!) that I have...I would not be happy....  So you can add entertainment to my list....just not as much as most ;)
Mar 20, 2008 06:18 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Woo Hoo! I stand corrected and will add entertainment to your illustrious Bio, LMAO
Mar 20, 2008 06:26 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE
LMAO right along with you!
Mar 20, 2008 08:54 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Woo Hoo, aren't the endorphins wonderful!

PS, I just wrote a great little piece about the news of Fannie and Freddie having had their % of reserves lowered. Would that qualify for addition on the Positive group? It should have a real beneficial effect on the housing markets around the country. Let me know, it is not exactly inspirational in some people's view,lol

Mar 20, 2008 09:19 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
I too love the new technology but am with Gina in being concerned that we are becoming a more isolated people...
Mar 20, 2008 02:49 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Joan, I think your analysis maybe correct and in addition,  a contributing factor is also the amount of increased computer , cell phone and MP3 usage. We have found too numerous of ways to isolate ourselves form the interaction with others. Great insight.
Mar 20, 2008 05:39 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
William, no reason that a home theater has to isolate us.  If I had a room like that at home, I'd be hosting movie nights for friends and family all the time, complete with wonderful air popped popcorn, which by the way is healthier and tastes better than the microwave stuff.  At my house, the preview clips before the film would be my real estate ad :)
Mar 20, 2008 11:14 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Brian, I fear that Gena and then Joan and then even myself in my response, veered off on a tangent. When I was thinking through the changes in life style, the home theater is certainly not the problem. As we age, we often reflect back in our memories and compare one era to another. The problem is that we most often will have selective memories. Certainly not scientific by any stretch.

In one sense there is actually more connectivity between people than ever before. It would then be better defined as questioning the quality of that connectivity. Personal, one on one vrs electronic.

I certainly was not thinking of isolating ourselves more with the Home Theater. And for sure if I had one of the more elaborate ones,I would certainly think in the same terms as you mentioned, with a movie night or at least frequent invitations for others to enjoy. I think where we may isolate ourselves more is just the greatly increased use of technology that often replaces personal connection.

Mar 21, 2008 02:37 AM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699
William, i think I was a bit strong especially after reading some of the comments. Watching TV and having large entertainment rooms is the way of the future and that is what the home buyers want. GREAT. Good job in presenting what the trends are.
Mar 21, 2008 03:46 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Gena, I wrote a nice response comment and instead of ending up here,my AR went down and it was lost. What I mentioned was that basically I understand your original point of view and  that there is less human interaction with all the electronic devices that are being obtained in the name of entertainment. Just how many movie nights would it take to replace the relationship of parents and family that has broken down. Between cell phones, MP3 players, Televisions and computers we are more connected to the world of information and noise but not necessarily each other. Your original point has merit. Yes the technology provides for really cool experiences but that does not insure relationships. One can't built real human interactions while watching a movie, talking endlessly on cell phones, piping music through our brains or even blogging for hours of a day.
Mar 22, 2008 03:07 AM
Jason & Deanna
Breckenridge, CO

Hi William,

 Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in.

I was a former Integrator in a past life. One of the ones who builds these rooms and impiments technology in the home. I actually maintained a financial interest in the company up until last year. My wife has been in real estate for a long while and I joined her 2 years ago full time.

I would say you are right it is a trend and have seen family's come togeather  from it. In my opinion there are 3 reasons for theaters.

1. The famous and wealthy seem to detest going to the theater. Understandably so.

2. Video and Audio performance can and is usually superior in your own theater.

3. Entertainment and status factor. Many of these folks have guests and entertain them. They also have a certain cachet to them.

However one interesting fact is for the last couple of years the trend in our industry has been away from theaters. The newer trends are in multi purpose rooms like media and game rooms. The other part of the trend has been in life trends and electronics integrating your preferences and life style to your home. Lighting control, feature automation in the home, music and sound in various rooms and a push for energy savings by using technology to reduce your homes energy use.

The trend is not to gradual at least in our clients homes. What has become more gradual is as the technology becomes more affordable it is showing up in lower price points. Many builders I know and work with no longer ask do we really need to do this. The question becomes more like what else can we do to differentiate ourselves from the others.

Mar 22, 2008 09:52 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Good Morning Jason and Deanna,

Thank you so much for adding in your qualified vision and perspective here on the post. You have added some very useful information for the readers. Many Thanks again!

Mar 23, 2008 05:17 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
The next improvement I make to my home will be the inclusion of a home theatre. In my area we have quite a few high end homes. They have really become common place. Some of them are just magnificent.
Mar 24, 2008 04:28 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Good Morning Bill,
Thank you for dropping by and sharing your perspective and intent to include the Home Theater in your future remodel. Sounds great and I am sure you will want to share that with us, Looking forward to seeing it. All the Best!

 

Mar 24, 2008 05:31 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
William - my favorite addition to the home theater are motion chairs - the ones that move in conjunction with the movie being played - squeeling around a corner, jigging down the steps in Rome, etc. Talk about a vivid experience !!
Mar 25, 2008 03:06 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Sharon, Those sound like something I would certainly enjoy. I have a message recliner from Sharper Image but I think you idea of the motion chair would be very fun!
Mar 25, 2008 03:15 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
William - it certainly makes "experiencing a movie" a different experience. With a massage chair, as good as it feels, it's rather predictable. These chairs certainly aren't.
Mar 26, 2008 04:09 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Thanks Sharon, I look forward to experiencing that chair. Maybe one of the weekends I can find one and be able to share the experience back with you.
Mar 26, 2008 05:13 PM